Array Substrate for Liquid Crystal Panel and Liquid Crystal Panel

ABSTRACT

An array substrate for a liquid crystal panel includes a plurality of pixel electrodes corresponding to a plurality of pixels, and a common electrode provided common to the plurality of pixel electrodes. An alignment of liquid crystal is controlled by each electric field between each of the plurality of the pixel electrodes and the common electrode. The array substrate further includes a pixel selecting circuit, a line group for pixel selecting circuit, a potential applying circuit, a line group for potential applying circuit, and a common electrode line. The pixel selecting circuit sequentially selects pixels among the plurality of pixels. The line group for pixel selecting circuit is connected to input terminals of the pixel selecting circuit. The potential applying circuit applies a potential to the pixel electrode of a selected pixel. The line group for potential applying circuit is connected to input terminals of the potential applying circuit. The common electrode line is connected to the common electrode. The common electrode line extends in a region between the pixel selecting circuit and the potential applying circuit and in a region between the line group for pixel selecting circuit and the line group for potential applying circuit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/729,448 filed Mar. 29, 2007, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§119 to Japanese Patent Application No. JP2006-095808, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby expressly incorporated by reference as part of thepresent disclosure as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to an array substrate for a liquid crystalpanel and a liquid crystal panel, and, in particular, to inhibitingcrossing of lines in a structure having, on an array substrate, both apixel electrode and a common electrode which create an electric fieldfor controlling an alignment of liquid crystal.

2. Related Art

In related art, liquid crystal panels are known in which an alignment ofliquid crystal is controlled by controlling an electric field (verticalelectric field) between a pixel electrode of an array substrate and anopposing electrode of an opposing substrate. In addition, IPS (In-PlaneSwitching) mode liquid crystal panels and FFS (Fringe Field Switching)mode liquid crystal panels are two known types of liquid crystal panelshaving a relatively wide angle of view. In the liquid crystal panels ofthese modes, both the pixel electrode and a common electrode whichcorresponds to the opposing electrode are provided on the arraysubstrate, and the alignment of the liquid crystal is controlled bycontrolling an electric field (horizontal electric field) createdbetween the electrodes. The IPS mode liquid crystal panels are describedin, for example, JP-A-10-62767 and the FFS mode liquid crystal panelsare described in, for example, JP-A-2002-296611.

In liquid crystal panels using the horizontal electric field, becauseboth of the two electrodes controlling the electric field are providedin the array substrate, the number of lines on the array substrate isincreased compared to vertical electric field liquid crystal panels inwhich only the pixel electrode is provided on the array substrate. Thus,there is a disadvantage that lines may cross each other depending on theline layout.

SUMMARY

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that a liquid crystalpanel and an array substrate for a liquid crystal panel are provided inwhich crossing of lines can be inhibited even in a structure in whichboth the pixel electrode and the common electrode are provided in anarray substrate.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an arraysubstrate for a liquid crystal panel, including a plurality of pixelelectrodes corresponding to a plurality of pixels, and a commonelectrode provided common to the plurality of pixel electrodes. Analignment of liquid crystal is controlled by each electric field betweeneach of the plurality of the pixel electrodes and the common electrode.The array substrate further includes a pixel selecting circuit, a linegroup for pixel selecting circuit, a potential applying circuit, a linegroup for potential applying circuit, and a common electrode line. Thepixel selecting circuit sequentially selects pixels among the pluralityof pixels. The line group for pixel selecting circuit is connected toinput terminals of the pixel selecting circuit. The potential applyingcircuit applies a potential to the pixel electrode of a selected pixel.The line group for potential applying circuit is connected to inputterminals of the potential applying circuit. The common electrode lineis connected to the common electrode. The common electrode line extendsin a region between the pixel selecting circuit and the potentialapplying circuit and in a region between the line group for pixelselecting circuit and the line group for potential applying circuit.

According to an aspect of the invention, it is possible to preventcrossing of lines even when both the pixel electrode and the commonelectrode are provided in the array substrate, and, as a result, inhibitincrease in power consumption or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein identical reference numbers are used to identifycorresponding elements.

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view showing a liquid crystal panelaccording to a first preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A is a plan view showing an array substrate according to the firstpreferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B is a cross sectional view showing an array substrate accordingto the first preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating control of an alignment ofliquid crystal in a liquid crystal panel according to the firstpreferred embodiment of the invention when no electric field is applied.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating control of an alignment ofliquid crystal in a liquid crystal panel according to the firstpreferred embodiment of the invention when an electric field is applied.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a liquid crystal panel according to thefirst preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a liquid crystal panel according to asecond preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a liquid crystal panel according to athird preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view showing a liquid crystal panelaccording to a third preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view showing a liquid crystal panelaccording to a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view showing a liquid crystal panelaccording to a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view showing a liquid crystal panel 10according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1illustrates a structure in a display region A10 of the liquid crystalpanel 10, which is a region in which, for example, pixels are arrangedin a matrix form and a video image or the like is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal panel 10 includes an arraysubstrate 100, an opposing substrate 200 which is placed opposing thearray substrate 100, and liquid crystal 310 held between the twosubstrates 100 and 200. The array substrate 100 is also referred to as aTFT substrate or an element substrate and the opposing substrate is alsoreferred to as a color filter substrate.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are, respectively, a plan view and a cross sectionalview of the display region A10 of the array substrate 100. As shown inFIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B, the array substrate 100 includes a substrate 110made of glass or the like, a circuit layer 120 in which a pixel TFT(Thin Film Transistor) 120T or the like is formed, a pixel electrode131, an interlayer insulating film 132, a common electrode 133, and analignment layer (not shown). The pixel TFT 120T and the pixel electrode131 are provided for each pixel, and, thus, FIG. 1 shows a structure oftwo pixels and FIGS. 2A and 2B show a structure of a pixel.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the circuit layer 120 has a semiconductor film 121,a gate insulating film 122, a gate electrode 123, an interlayerinsulating film 124, a source electrode 125S, a drain electrode 125D,and an interlayer insulating film 126. The gate electrode 123, the gateinsulating film 122, and the semiconductor film 121 are formed ascomponents of a MIS (Metal Insulator Semiconductor) or MOS (Metal OxideSemiconductor) structure of the pixel TFT 120T.

The semiconductor film 121 is provided to each pixel, and is locallyplaced on a surface of the substrate 110 opposing the opposing substrate200. The semiconductor film 121 is made of, for example, a silicon film,and a source region, a drain region, and a channel region between thesource region and the drain region (none of which is shown) are providedin the semiconductor film 121 for the pixel TFT 120T.

The gate insulating film 122 is made of, for example, a silicon oxidefilm or a silicon nitride film, and is layered on the semiconductor film121 and the substrate 110.

The gate electrode 123 is made of, for example, a semiconductor filmsuch as silicon or a metal film, and is provided on the gate insulatingfilm 122 at a position opposing the channel region of the semiconductorfilm 121 with the gate insulating film 122 therebetween.

The interlayer insulating film 124 is made of, for example, a siliconoxide film, and is layered on the gate electrode 123 and the gateinsulating film 122. The interlayer insulating film 124 also functionsas a planarizing film.

The source electrode 125S and the drain electrode 125D are made of, forexample, a metal film, and are layered on the interlayer insulating film124. A contact hole is formed through the interlayer insulating film 124and the gate insulating film 122 reaching the source region of thesemiconductor film 121. The source electrode 125S is electricallyconnected to the source region through the contact hole. Similarly, thedrain electrode 125D is electrically connected to the drain region ofthe semiconductor film 121 through a contact hole formed through theinterlayer insulating film 124 and the gate insulating film 122.

The interlayer insulating film 126 is made of, for example, a siliconoxide film, and is layered on the source electrode 125S, on the drainelectrode 125D, and on the interlayer insulating film 124. Theinterlayer insulating film 126 also functions as a planarizing film.

The pixel electrode 131 is layered on the interlayer insulating film 126of the circuit layer 120, and is provided for each pixel. The pixelelectrode 131 is made of, for example, a light-transmitting conductivefilm such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide). Byforming light reflecting conductive film such as a metal over all or aportion of the pixel electrode 131, it is possible to form the liquidcrystal panel 10 as a reflective or transflective liquid crystal panel.A contact hole reaching the drain electrode 125D is formed through theinterlayer insulating film 126, and the pixel electrode 131 iselectrically connected to the drain electrode 125D through the contacthole. Therefore, a potential (driving potential) of the pixel electrode131 during driving is controlled by a driving device (not shown) throughthe pixel TFT 120T. Although in this configuration an electrodeconnected to the pixel electrode 131 is referred to as a drainelectrode, it is also possible to refer to the electrode as a sourceelectrode.

The interlayer insulating film 132 is made of, for example, a siliconoxide film, and is layered on the pixel electrode 131 and on theinterlayer insulating film 126 of the circuit layer 120.

The common electrode 133 is made of, for example, a light-transmittingconductive film such as ITO or IZO. The common electrode 133 is layeredon the interlayer insulating film 132, so that the common electrode 133and the pixel electrode 131 are layered with the interlayer insulatingfilm 132 therebetween in the display region A10. The common electrode133 is provided over the entire region of the display region A10, and isprovided common to the pixels in the display region A10, that is, thepixel electrodes 131 in the display region A10. At least one opening 134penetrating through the common electrode 133 in the thickness directionis formed at a position of the common electrode 133 opposing the pixelelectrode 131. The shape and number of the openings 134 are not limitedto those shown in the drawings.

An alignment layer (not shown) is placed on the common electrode 133.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic views illustrating control of an alignmentof liquid crystal 310 in the liquid crystal panel 10. As shown in FIG.3, when the pixel electrode 131 and the common electrode 133 are set ata same potential, the liquid crystal 310 is aligned in a predeterminedstate. When, on the other hand, the potential of the pixel electrode 131is set to a value different from that of the common electrode 133, anelectric field E is formed through the opening 134 between theelectrodes 131 and 133 as shown in FIG. 4, and the liquid crystal 310 isaligned in a state different from the state when no electric field isapplied, which is shown in FIG. 3. In this process, the alignment of theliquid crystal 310, that is, the transmittance of the liquid crystal310, is controlled by the strength of the electric field E between theelectrodes 131 and 133, and the display light is dimmed. It is, ofcourse, possible to employ alignments different from those shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, as long as the alignment can be controlled by theelectric field E between the pixel electrode 131 and the commonelectrode 133.

A mode for controlling the alignment of the liquid crystal by anelectric field between the pixel electrode and the common electrodelayered on an array substrate with the interlayer insulating filmtherebetween is referred to as an FFS (Fringe Field Switching) mode.

As shown in FIG. 1, the opposing substrate 200 includes a substrate 210made of glass or the like, a color filter 220, a light-shielding film230, and an alignment layer (not shown).

The color filter 220 is placed on a surface of the substrate 210opposing the array substrate 100 at a position opposing the pixelelectrode 131 of the array substrate 100. In other words, the colorfilter 220 is provided for each pixel. The color filter 220 is made of,for example, a resin film of a color corresponding to the display colorof the pixel.

The light-shielding film 230 is made of a resin film or a metal filmsuch as chromium (Cr), and is provided on the substrate 210 to fill thegap between adjacent color filters 220.

An alignment layer (not shown) is provided on the color filter 220 andthe light-shielding film 230.

The array substrate 100 and the opposing substrate 200 are placed sothat the alignment layers (not shown) of the substrates 100 and 200oppose each other, and the liquid crystal 310 is held in a gap betweenthe substrate 100 and 200.

FIG. 5 is a plan view (layout view) of the liquid crystal panel 10. InFIG. 5, the pixel electrode 131, the light-shielding film 230, etc. arenot shown, a pixel P is schematically shown with a circle(.smallcircle.), the display region A10 is shown with a broken line, andan outline of the opposing substrate 200 is shown with the dotted chainline. For purpose of simplifying the explanation, the display region A10and the common electrode 133 are assumed to have a quadrangular shape asshown in FIG. 5. Although FIG. 5 shows the common electrode 133 to belarger than the display region A10, the common electrode 133 may beformed to match the display region A10.

As shown in FIG. 5, the array substrate 100 further includes a verticaldriver 51 (shown with “VDR 51” in the drawings) and a horizontal driver52 (shown with “HDR 52” in the drawings) which are a part of the drivingdevice, and lines L123, L51, L125S, L52, and L133 which are made of, forexample, a metal film. These structures are provided in the circuitlayer 120 (refer to FIG. 1).

The plurality of lines L51 extend in the peripheral region A20. One endof each line L51 is provided within a terminal region A21, and the endof each line L51 forms an external connection terminal portion in theterminal region A21. The terminal region A21 is a part of the peripheralregion A20, and is provided in a portion of the array substrate 100 notcovered by the opposing substrate 200. In the example configuration ofFIG. 5, the terminal region A21 is provided at a lower end of the arraysubstrate 100. The other end of each line L51 is connected to an inputterminal of the vertical driver 51 which is made of circuit elementssuch as a thin film transistor (TFT). The plurality of lines L51 arehereinafter collectively referred to as line group G51.

The vertical driver 51 is configured to process a signal or the likereceived through the input terminal, create a driving potential to beapplied to a gate electrode 123 of the pixel TFT 120T (refer to FIG. 2),and output the created driving potential from a predetermined outputterminal at a predetermined timing. The vertical driver 51 is providedin a region within the peripheral region A20 along one side of thedisplay region A10 (or the common electrode 133). In the exampleconfiguration of FIG. 5, the vertical driver 51 is provided on the leftof the display region A10.

A line L123 is connected to each output terminal of the vertical driver51. Each line L123 extends into the display region A10, and is providedcommon to a plurality of pixels P. Thus, gate electrodes 123 of aplurality of pixel TFTs 120T (refer to FIG. 2) are connected to a lineL123.

With this structure, the vertical driver 51 receives signals or the likethrough the lines L51 from an external device (not shown) forminganother part of the driving device, creates a driving potential based onthe received signals or the like, and outputs the driving potential tothe line L123. In this process, the vertical driver 51 sequentiallyselects the plurality of lines L123, that is, the vertical driver 51scans the plurality of lines L123, and applies the driving potential tothe selected line L123. In this manner, the driving potential is appliedsimultaneously to the gate electrodes 123 of the plurality of pixel TFTs120T connected to the selected line L123.

The plurality of lines L52 extend in the peripheral region A20. One endof each line L52 is provided in the terminal region A21 and forms anexternal connection terminal portion in the terminal region A21. Theother end of each line L52 is connected to an input terminal of ahorizontal driver 52 made of circuit elements such as a thin filmtransistor (TFT). The plurality of lines L52 are hereinaftercollectively referred to as line group G52.

The horizontal driver 52 is configured to process a signal or the likereceived via the input terminal, create a predetermined drivingpotential corresponding to display data of the pixel P, and outputs thecreated driving potential from an output terminal at a predeterminedtiming. The horizontal driver 52 is provided in the peripheral regionA20 and is provided in a region along one of the other sides, among thefour sides of the display region A10 (or common electrode 133), whichcrosses the side to which the vertical driver 51 is adjacent. In the,example configuration of FIG. 5, the horizontal driver 52 is providedbelow the display region A10 in the drawing, between the display regionA10 and the terminal region A21.

A line L125S is connected to each output terminal of the horizontaldriver 52. Each line L125S extends into the display region A10, and isprovided common to a plurality of pixels P. Thus, source electrodes 125Sof a plurality of pixel TFTs 120T (refer to FIG. 2) are connected to aline L125S.

With this structure, the horizontal driver 52 receives signals or thelike through the lines L52 from an external device (not shown) whichforms another part of the driving device, creates a driving potentialcorresponding to display data based on the received signal or the like,and outputs the driving potential to the line L125S. In this process,the horizontal driver 52 outputs the driving potential for each pixel Pto the pixels P connected to the selected line L51 in synchronizationwith the scanning of lines L51 by the vertical driver 51. In thismanner, the driving potential is applied to each pixel electrodes 131through the corresponding pixel TFT 120T connected to the selected lineL123. The horizontal driver can simultaneously output driving potentialsto the plurality of lines L125S.

The sequential selection operation of the lines L123 by the verticaldriver 51 is equivalent to a sequential selection operation of pixels Pto which the driving potential corresponding to the display data is tobe applied. Thus, the vertical driver 51 may be referred to as a pixelselecting circuit. Regarding the horizontal driver 52, on the otherhand, because the horizontal driver 52 applies a driving potentialcorresponding to display data of a selected pixel P to the pixelelectrode 131 of the pixel P, the horizontal driver 52 may be referredto as a potential applying circuit. The line group G51 connected to theinput terminals of the vertical driver 51 may be referred to as a linegroup for pixel selecting circuit. The line group G52 connected to theinput terminals of the horizontal driver 52 may be referred to as a linegroup for potential applying circuit. The line groups G51 and G52, thatis, the plurality of lines L51 and the plurality of lines L52 areprovided in order to control the potentials of the pixel electrodes 131.

The line L133 extends in the peripheral region A20. One end of the lineL133 is provided in the terminal region A21 and forms an externalconnection terminal portion in the terminal region A21. The other end ofthe line L133 is electrically connected to the common electrode 133. Forexample, the other end of the line L133 is electrically connected to thecommon electrode 133 at a region of the common electrode 133 near acorner portion close to both the vertical driver 51 and the horizontaldriver 52. With this structure, a potential applied from an externaldevice (not shown) which forms another part of the driving device to theexternal connection terminal portion of the line L133 is applied to thecommon electrode 133. In other words, the line L133 is provided forapplying potential to the common electrode. Thus, the line L133 for thecommon electrode 133 is also referred to as a common electrode lineL133.

The common electrode line L133 is placed avoiding crossing with thevertical driver 51, the horizontal driver 52, and the line groups G51and G52. For example, the line L133 extends from the region of thecommon electrode 133 near the corner portion (that is, between the twodrivers 51 and 52), through a region between the line groups G51 andG52, and into the terminal region A21. In addition, in the terminalregion A21, the external connection terminal portion of the line L133 isprovided between the external connection terminal portions of the linegroup G51 and the external connection terminal portions of the linegroup G52. With this form of placement, the common electrode line L133extends into the terminal region A21 with a minimum length within anallowable range, avoiding crossing of liens as described above.

With this structure of the liquid crystal panel 10, crossing of thelines L51, L52, and L133 can be prevented, even when both the pixelelectrode 131 and the common electrode 133 are provided on the arraysubstrate 100. As a result, it is possible to inhibit increase in powerconsumption and avoid disadvantageous problems such as reducedreliability, delayed signals (delay of change of potential), voltagedrop, and the like.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a liquid crystal panel 10B according to asecond preferred embodiment of the invention. The liquid crystal panel10B includes a horizontal switching circuit 54 (indicated with “HSW 54”in the drawings) and a plurality of lines L54 in place of the horizontaldriver 52 and the plurality of lines L52 of the liquid crystal panel 10.In addition, the liquid crystal panel 10B includes an integrated circuitchip 160 and a plurality of lines L160 in addition to the elements ofthe liquid crystal panel 10. As the remaining elements of the liquidcrystal panel 10B are similar to those of the liquid crystal panel 10,corresponding elements of the liquid crystal panels 10 and 10B areassigned the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

The plurality of lines L160 extend in the peripheral region A20. One endof each line L160 is provided within the terminal region A21 and formsan external connection terminal portion in the terminal region A21. Theother end of each line L160 is connected to an input terminal of theintegrated circuit chip 160.

The integrated circuit chip 160 is mounted on the array substrate 100and is sealed by a resin or the like (not shown) The integrated circuitchip 160 is provided at a portion of the peripheral region A20 which isnot covered by the opposing substrate 200. The integrated circuit chip160 forms a driving device (not shown) along with the vertical driver 51and the horizontal switching circuit 54. The integrated circuit chip 160creates signals or the like to be supplied to the vertical driver 51based on signals or the like received through the input terminal. Theintegrated circuit chip 160 outputs the created signals or the likethrough a plurality of output terminals 161. The integrated circuit ship160 also creates, similar to a part of functions of the horizontaldriver 52 of FIG. 5, a driving potential corresponding to display dataof each pixel P and outputs the created driving potentials through aplurality of output terminals 164. Furthermore, the integrated circuitchip 160 also creates a potential to be applied to the common electrode133 and outputs the created potential through an output terminal 163.

One end of each of the lines L51, L54, and L133 is connected to each ofthe output terminals 161, 164, and 163 of the integrated circuit chip160. With this structure, a predetermined signal or the like and drivingpotential are supplied to the vertical driver 51, horizontal switchingcircuit 54, and common electrode 133.

The plurality of lines L54 extend in the peripheral region A20. One endof each line L54 is connected to the output terminal 164 of theintegrated circuit chip 160 as described above, and the other end ofeach line L54 is connected to an input terminal of the horizontalswitching circuit 54 including a circuit element such as a thin filmtransistor (TFT). The plurality of lines L54 will hereinafter becollectively referred to as a line group G54.

The horizontal switching circuit 54 is provided at a position similar tothat of the horizontal driver 52 of FIG. 5. The horizontal switchingcircuit 54 is configured such that a driving potential input from theintegrated circuit chip 160 through the input terminal is output from anoutput terminal at a predetermined timing. In this process, thehorizontal switching circuit 54 outputs the driving potential insynchronization with the scanning of the line L123 by the verticaldriver 51 and simultaneously from a plurality of output terminals,similar to the horizontal driver 52 of FIG. 5. In other words, functionssimilar to those of the horizontal driver 52 of FIG. 5 are realized bythe creation function by the integrated circuit chip 160 of the drivingpotential corresponding to the display data and the functions of thehorizontal switching circuit 54 as described above. Because such ahorizontal switching circuit 54 applies a driving potentialcorresponding to the display data of a selected pixel P to the pixelelectrode 131 of the pixel P, the horizontal switching circuit 54 may bereferred to as a potential applying circuit. In this case, the linegroup G54 connected to the input terminals of the horizontal switchingcircuit 54 may be referred to as line groups for potential applyingcircuit. The line group G54, that is, the plurality of lines L54, isprovided in order to control the potential of the pixel electrodes 131.

A line L125S is connected to each output terminal of the horizontalswitching circuit 54. With this structure, a driving potential isapplied to each pixel electrode 131 through the corresponding pixel TFT120T connected to the line L123 selected by the vertical driver 51.

In the liquid crystal panel 10B also, the common electrode line L133 isplaced preventing crossing with the vertical driver 51, the horizontalswitching circuit 54, and the line groups G51 and G54. The commonelectrode line L133 extends in a region between the vertical driver 51and the horizontal switching circuit 54 and between the two line groupsG51 and G54. With this form of placement the common electrode line L133can connect the integrated circuit chip 160 and the common electrode 133with a minimum length within an allowable range in a placementpreventing the crossing as described above. Therefore, the liquidcrystal panel 10B can achieve an advantage similar to that of the liquidcrystal panel 10.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are, respectively, a plan view and a cross sectional viewshowing a liquid crystal panel 10C according to a third preferredembodiment of the invention. Although in FIG. 7 the light-shielding film230 is shown as outlined by the dotted chain line, the placement of thelight-shielding film 230 is not limited to the area shown in FIG. 7. Inthe liquid crystal panel 10C, the light-shielding film 230 is made of ametal film such as chromium (Cr), and a structure for applying apotential identical to that of the common electrode 133 to theconductive light-shielding film 230 is additionally provided.

The array substrate 100C of the liquid crystal panel 10C additionallyincludes an array substrate-side extension line L190, an insulating film180, and an array substrate-side pad 192 in the peripheral region A20 ofthe array substrate 100 (refer to FIG. 1). The opposing substrate 200Cof the liquid crystal panel 10C additionally includes an opposingsubstrate-side extension line L290, an insulating film 280, and anopposing substrate-side pad 292 in the peripheral region A20 of theopposing substrate 200 (refer to FIG. 1). The liquid crystal panel 10Cfurther includes a conductive member 390 between the substrates 100C and200C. As the remaining elements of the liquid crystal panel 10C aresimilar to those in the liquid crystal panel 10, corresponding elementsof the liquid crystal panels 10 and 10C are assigned the same referencenumerals and will not be described again.

The array substrate-side extension line L190 is provided on thesubstrate 110, for example. The line L190 is electrically connected tothe common electrode 133 at one end and extending to a position distantfrom the common electrode 133. The extension line L190 may be formed of,for example, a metal film, or may be formed along with the commonelectrode 133 by patterning the conductive film for the common electrode133.

The insulating film 180 is made of, for example, a silicon oxide film,is layered on the array substrate-side extension line L190, and has anopening on a portion 191 of the extension line L190.

The array substrate-side pad 192 is placed on the insulating film 180,and contacts the portion 191 of the array substrate-side extension lineL190 through the opening of the insulating film 180. With thisstructure, an array substrate-side electrode portion 190 is formed bythe portion 191 of the extension line L190 and the pad 192. The arraysubstrate-side pad 192 is made of a conductive film such as, forexample, a metal, ITO, or IZO.

The opposing substrate-side extension line L290 is provided on thesubstrate 210, for example. The extension line L290 is electricallyconnected to the conductive light-shielding film 230 at one end andextending to a position distant from the light-shielding film 230. Theextension line L290 may be made of, for example, a metal film, or may beformed along with the light-shielding film 230 by patterning theconductive film for the light-shielding film 230.

The insulating film 280 is made of, for example, a silicon oxide film,is layered on the opposing substrate-side extension line L290, and hasan opening on a portion 291 of the extension line L290.

The opposing substrate-side pad 292 is placed on the insulating film280, and contacts the portion 291 of the opposing substrate-sideextension line L290 through the opening of the insulating film 280. Withthis structure, an opposing substrate-side electrode portion 290 isformed by a portion 291 of the extension line L290 and the pad 292. Theopposing substrate-side pad 292 is made of a conductive film such as,for example, a metal, ITO, or IZO.

Because the array substrate-side electrode portion 190 and the opposingsubstrate-side electrode portion 290 are provided opposing each other inthe peripheral region A20, the array substrate-side extension line L190extends from the common electrode 133 towards the array substrate-sideelectrode portion 190, and the opposing substrate-side extension lineL290 extends from the conductive light-shielding film 230 towards theopposing substrate-side electrode portion 290. In FIG. 7, an example ofconfiguration is shown in which the entire extension line L190 and theentire extension line L290 oppose each other. The extension position andthe extension direction of the extension lines L190 and L290 are notlimited to those shown in FIG. 7. By extending the array substrate-sideextension line L190 preventing crossing with the drivers 51 and 52 andthe line groups G51 and G52, it is possible to inhibit increase in thepower consumption, etc. similar to the liquid crystal panel 10 (refer toFIG. 1).

The conductive member 390 is placed between the array substrate 100C andthe opposing substrate 200C, and contacts the array substrate-sideelectrode portion 190 and the opposing substrate-side electrode portion290. In this manner, the array substrate-side extension line L190 andthe opposing substrate-side extension line L290 are electricallyconnected and a potential identical to that of the common electrode 133is applied to the conductive light-shielding film 230.

Although the conductive member 390 illustrated in FIG. 7 is a sphericalstructure (bead) made of a conductive material such as a metal, theconductive member 390 is not limited to such a configuration, and maybe, for example, a plurality of spherical structures or one or aplurality of fibers or the like. Any structure may be used as theconductive member 390 such as, for example, a structure in which asurface of a resin sphere is coated with a metal, as long as the commonelectrode 133 and the conductive light-shielding film 230 can beelectrically connected. The conductive member 390 can be installedbetween the substrates 100C and 200C by mixing a conductive ornonconductive paste material (not shown) with the material of theconductive member 390, placing the mixed material on at least one of thetwo electrode portions 190 and 290, and bonding the array substrate 100Cand the opposing substrate 200C. As the paste material, for example, itis possible to use the sealing material for sealing the liquid crystal310.

The conductive member 390 need not have a solid structure such as thesphere as described above, and may be, for example, a conductive pastesuch as gold (Au) paste. By placing the conductive member 390 in a pasteform on at least one of the electrode portions 190 and 290, and bondingthe array substrate 100C and the opposing substrate 200C, it is possibleto place the conductive member 390 between the substrates 100C and 200C.It is also possible to mix a spacer (may be conductive or notconductive) in the conductive paste forming the conductive member 390.

With this structure, a potential identical to that of the commonelectrode 133 is applied to the conductive light-shielding film 230.Because of this, the potential of the light-shielding film 230 does notbecome a floating state. The common electrode 133 is a conductive film,on the array substrate 100C, which is placed closest to the liquidcrystal 310, and the light-shielding film 230 is a conductive film, onthe opposing substrate 200C, which is placed closest to the liquidcrystal 310. In other words, the common electrode 133 and thelight-shielding film 230 are conductive films that are positionedclosest to each other with the liquid crystal 310 therebetween. It ispossible to prevent formation of an electric field between the commonelectrode 133 and the light-shielding film 230. Therefore, the potentialof the light-shielding film 230 does not cause a disadvantage in thealignment of the liquid crystal 310.

With the conductive light-shielding film 230, cost can be reducedbecause it is not necessary to provide a conductive film such as an ITOfilm above the light-shielding film 230. With the light-shielding film230 made of a metal film such as chromium (Cr), because thelight-shielding film 230 can be formed in a thinner thickness than thatof the light-shielding film made of a resin, fine patterning is possibleand the light-shielding film has a superior planarizing characteristic.Costs can be reduced by employing a light-shielding film 230 made of ametal film in place of the resin light-shielding film.

The array substrate-side electrode portion 190 may be formed without theuse of the pad 192. Similarly, the opposing substrate-side electrodeportion 290 may be formed without the use of the pad 292. The extensionlines L190 and L290, electrode portions 190 and 290, and the conductivemember 390 may be provided on the liquid crystal panel 10B of FIG. 6.

Alternatively, it is also possible to apply a liquid crystal panel 10Daccording to a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown ina cross sectional view of FIG. 9, to the structure of the display regionA10 of the liquid crystal panels 10, 10B, and 10C. FIG. 9 shows only thestructure in the display region A10 of the liquid crystal panel 10D.

The liquid crystal panel 10D has a structure in which the arraysubstrate 100 of the liquid crystal panel 10 in FIG. 1 is replaced withan array substrate 100D. In the array substrate 100D, the placementrelationship between the pixel electrode 131 and the common electrode133 is reversed compared to that in the array substrate 100 of FIG. 1.Thus, the common electrode 133, the interlayer insulating film 132, andthe pixel electrode 131 are layered above the circuit layer 120 in thatorder. In addition, in the array substrate 100D, the openings 134 areformed through the pixel electrode 131, and the electric field E (referto FIG. 4) between the pixel electrode 131 and the common electrode 133is created through each opening 134. The liquid crystal panel 10D alsois an FFS mode liquid crystal panel. The remaining elements of the arraysubstrate 100D are similar to those of the array substrate 100 of FIG.1.

In the liquid crystal panel 10D also, because both the pixel electrode131 and the common electrode 133 are provided in the array substrate100D, it is possible to place the common electrode line L133, the linegroups G51 and G52, etc. in a manner similar to that in the liquidcrystal panels 10, 10B, and 10C.

Alternatively, it is also possible to apply a liquid crystal panel 10Eaccording to a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown ina cross sectional view of FIG. 10, to the structure of the displayregion A10 of the liquid crystal panels 10, 10B, and 10C. FIG. 10 showsonly the structure in the display region A10 of the liquid crystal panel10E.

The liquid crystal panel 10E has a structure in which the arraysubstrate 100 of the liquid crystal panel 10 of FIG. 1 is replaced withan array substrate 100E. In the array substrate 100E, both the pixelelectrode 131 and the common electrode 133 are placed on the circuitlayer 120 with a space therebetween, and the alignment of the liquidcrystal 310 is controlled by an electric field E created between thepixel electrode 131 and the common electrode 133. The liquid crystalpanel 10E is an IPS (In-Plane Switching) mode liquid crystal panel. Theremaining elements of the array substrate 100E are similar to those inthe array substrate 100 of FIG. 1.

In the liquid crystal panel 10E also, because both the pixel electrode131 and the common electrode 133 are provided in the array substrate100E, it is possible to place the common electrode line L133, the linesgroups G51 and G52, etc. in a manner similar to that in the liquidcrystal panels 10, 10B, and 10C.

It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that many changesmay be made in the above-described details of the preferred embodimentsof the invention. The scope of the invention, therefore, should bedetermined by the following claims.

1. An array substrate for a liquid crystal panel, the array substratecomprising: pixel electrodes corresponding to pixels; a common electrodeprovided common to the pixel electrodes and capable of forming anelectric field that controls an alignment of liquid crystal inconjunction with each of the pixel electrodes; a pixel selecting circuitthat sequentially selects the pixels; a line group for the pixelselecting circuit connected to input terminals of the pixel selectingcircuit; a potential applying circuit that applies a potential to thepixel electrode of a selected pixel; a line group for the potentialapplying circuit connected to input terminals of the potential applyingcircuit; and a common electrode line connected to the common electrodeand arranged so as to avoid crossing the line group for the pixelselecting circuit and the line group for the potential applying circuit.2. The array substrate for a liquid crystal panel according to claim 1,wherein the common electrode line extends into a terminal region.
 3. Aliquid crystal panel comprising: an array substrate including pixelelectrodes corresponding to pixels, and also including a commonelectrode provided common to the pixel electrodes and capable of formingan electric field that controls an alignment of liquid crystal inconjunction with each of the pixel electrodes; an opposing substrateplaced opposing the array substrate; and liquid crystal held between thearray substrate and the opposing substrate, an alignment of which iscontrolled by an electric field between each of the pixel electrodes andthe common electrode, wherein the array substrate further includes: apixel selecting circuit that sequentially selects the pixels; a linegroup for the pixel selecting circuit connected to input terminals ofthe pixel selecting circuit; a potential applying circuit that applies apotential to the pixel electrode of a selected pixel; a line group forthe potential applying circuit connected to input terminals of thepotential applying circuit; and a common electrode line connected to thecommon electrode and arranged so as to avoid crossing the line group forthe pixel selecting circuit and the line group for the potentialapplying circuit.
 4. The liquid crystal panel according to claim 3,further comprising: an integrated circuit chip mounted on the arraysubstrate and connected to the common electrode line, the line group forthe pixel selecting circuit, and the line group for the potentialapplying circuit, wherein the common electrode line connects theintegrated circuit chip and the common electrode.